Steven DeKnight, the former showrunner of the hit Netflix Marvel series Daredevil, is not mincing words when it comes to MCU’s upcoming Disney+ reboot of the show. DeKnight has called the reboot “an old Disney scam” that could potentially deprive the original creatives of their due financial compensation.
The new Disney+ series, titled Daredevil: Born Again, is set to center around Charlie Cox’s portrayal of Daredevil, also known as Matt Murdock, a lawyer by day and a crimefighter by night. The iconic Vincent D’Onofrio is returning as the menacing mob boss Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin.
Deadline reports that DeKnight, who served as the showrunner for the first season of Netflix’s Daredevil, expressed his concerns in response to a post on social media platform X by a grip named Thomas.
Thomas, a member of the IATSE union representing film, TV, and stage crew workers, criticized the series’ retitling as “a f***ing scam” designed to reset guild contract terms to Season 1 levels.
DeKnight responded on X, stating that “It’s an old Disney scam where they slightly rename a series to reset contract terms back to the first season. Needs to be addressed by all the guilds/unions and crushed!”
DeKnight clarified his position on X, expressing his eagerness to see Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their iconic roles but adding that claiming it’s a complete reboot to avoid paying the original creatives is questionable corporate behavior, to say the least.
Daredevil: Born Again will also feature a star-studded cast, including Margarita Levieva, Sandrine Holt, Michael Gandolfini, Arty Froushan, and Nikki M. James, with Jon Bernthal returning as the Punisher.
Charlie Cox, who plays Daredevil, shared his thoughts on the reboot last year, emphasizing the need for it to be a true reincarnation and different from the original series. He hinted that while it would maintain a dark tone, it might not be as gory as the original.
Daredevil: Born Again had begun production in and around New York but had to suspend filming due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
The controversy surrounding the reboot and its potential impact on the original creatives’ compensation remains a hot topic of discussion in the entertainment industry.
